Friday, December 04, 2009
green real estate Asheville journal: green homes and land legacies
green real estate Asheville: Last week I took a client to see an emerging Eco-Community about 25 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. it is located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. I consider it a gem amidst the sparkling Hickory Nut Gorge. Out your back door, you can hike for miles. You can move into the serenity of nature. You can be surrounded by “forever-wild” mountain forests, soaring cliffs and pristine, cascading streams.
In this eco-friendly community land conservation, green-built homes, organic gardening and renewable energy from wind, water, sun, and geothermal sources, you can expect eco-innovation in real time. An heirloom apple orchard and old vineyard is part of the conservation land adjacent to the conservation development.
Of course, this impressed my client who is very much in to the green real estate scene. Perhaps more than this, however, was the notion that here, you even can be part of designing a “net zero energy homes community,” that creates more renewable energy than we use.
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-\_<, (*)/'(*) .......... ............ the green real estate Asheville: GOING GREEN: Mountain homes and land legacies, socially conscious investing, rolling into a sustainable world. Create it today for tomorrow. Find eco-friendly LAND. Build a green home. GREEN Real Estate, Retrofits and Relocation: ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville's Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients. The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
"Green" Sustainable Property Asheville Style! It's exciting.
Asheville, North Carolina’s creative citizenry including a growing number of NAR GREEN and ECO Certified® Real Estate Consultants have their hearts set on finding “smart" ways to approach healthy choices in both home AND land design and use that enhance a sense of community. Things HAPPEN when people start getting together and talking. And the talk here in the Greater Asheville area, where "THINGS" already are happening is about making wise choices in terms of GREEN.
While the environmental and social benefits of green buildings to a community are clear, until recently, some real estate professionals and their clients questioned whether green-built buildings, added tangible value to a property. If you read my earlier post you will see a fabulous accounting of just what this means.
In fact, Green Value, an independent research study, has provided in-depth research on the matter. It concluded that a clear link is beginning to emerge between the market value of a building and its green features.
The study combined a review of literature and case studies and found that not only are green buildings good for the environment, provide healthier places to live and more productive places to work, they can command higher prices.
For Asheville REALTORS®, accepting a leadership role in "green-thinking " new ways not only benefit sour ecology and our economy...but all concerned.
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GOING GREEN: socially conscious investing keeps on rolling into a sustainable world you can create today and tomorrow with eco-friendly land where you can build a green house and then help the environment by recycling.
Asheville GREEN Real Estate and Relocation: OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL ECO HOMES AND LAND. Serving Asheville’s Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..
The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
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Labels: asheville going green and sustainable, asheville green homes for sale, asheville green real estate
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Asheville Luxury Green Homes and Land
One of those missed items was our "find" ... a for sale by owner sign that was almost totally obscured by fallen leaves. The sign read... "For Sale By Owner 4 BR 5 Bath Luxury Green Home 10+ AC"
I could almost hear my eco-savvy "small footprint" proponent and pal exclaim, one eyebrow raised.."Luxury and Green. Can the two coexist?" Echoing his sentiments I said to my companion, "It's amazing that land of this quality could be for sale so close to Asheville, but add to that a luxury green-built home on the land ...I don't know. What do you think?"
Always on top of things, my Eco Certified® associate replied,
"People around Asheville, NC are hungry for sustainable design and building, " I nodded ,as we cleared off the sign in search of an email address and/or phone number. This could turn out to be an Excellent Find!" What do YOU think? Excellent Find? Luxury Green Homes: can they be for real??
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GREEN Real Estate and Relocation: OBJECTIVE FIDUCIARY COUNSEL ECO HOMES AND LAND LEARNING TOURS. Serving Asheville’s Eco-Friendly-Home, Relocation LAND Clients..
The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved
Labels: asheville going green and sustainable, asheville green real estate
Green Asheville's Carolina Farm Stewardship
I am looking forward to the 2009 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association 24th Annual Conference .
Possibly most exciting to me is having the opportunity to touch bases with and learn from respected organic educators who will be at the Conference. The good luck that the Conference will be held just a hop-skip-and-jump from Asheville is a real bonus. The event provides educational workshops for beginning gardeners, advanced organic farmers and folks interested in sustainable living.
This year, the gathering will be at the Blue Ridge Assembly, a retreat center on 1200 acres of Appalachian mountains and home to hiking trails, mountain streams, historic buildings, and also offers a crafts center for the kids.
Often conferences offer food that makes me want to bring my own. But the Carolina Farm Stewardship Conference features local and organic farm food, including breakfast both days. Hope to see you there.
Photo shows one of my favorite farm stewards surveying his farmland near Asheville, NC on a summer day.
Labels: green investment, organic farming, sustainable trends
Friday, August 28, 2009
Asheville GREEN and Happy
http://www.ECOStewardRealty.com
Labels: asheville green real estate
Saturday, December 13, 2008
ECO-FRIENDLY BUYERS’ CONNECTIONS & RELOCATING in the Asheville, NC Area
No doubt about it, even moving to beautiful ASHEVILLE, NC can be a challenging experience. RELOCATING to new surroundings can disrupt the flow of your daily life, be time-consuming and costly. Working with us to scout out and secure that “perfect” eco-friendly property, while it is an exciting adventure, can also bring up concerns.
and in the Foothills of South Carolina TELL US WHAT I MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU
Buyers’ Questionnaire with Special Emphasis on GREEN Features such as:
AgricultureAir Quality
Green Building
Consumer Wellness
GREEN Development
Eco Development
Energy Efficiency
Sustainability
Resource Management
Resource Conservation
Sustainable Development
NC ENERGY EFFICIENCY $$$ SAVINGS “GREEN” Tax Credits
All efficiency incentives: http://www.energytaxincentives.org/
Tax rules and forms: http://www.irs.gov/
Federal and State, all incentives: http://www.dsireusa.org/
North Carolina Solar Center programs
http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/
A Few Internet Resources
Energy Efficiency Information (tax credits and more):
http://www.energystar.gov/
NC SOLAR http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/
SC FOOTHILLS South Carolina Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives
http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/
Who is eligible to claim the $7,500 tax credit?
What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application?
NC HealthyBuilt® Homes Information and Real Estate and Conservation Land Trusts
GREEN BUILDERS , ECO-DEVELOPERS & SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
Here is a list of green builders , eco-developers and eco-friendly support professionals we have met and worked with over the years. We compiled it for those who may be investing in land or who choose to build new or renovate in a sustainable fashion. We have found that those mentioned here have charged themselves with the goal of contributing to the health of our planet; building healthy homes that are structurally sound and ecologically friendly. and that they keep abreast of sustainable innovation.
http://www.abuildingsolution.comhttp://www.abuildingsolution.com/
DEMOS Builders
Jim Demos
http://www.demosbuilders.com/
Jade Mountain Builders
Hans Doellgast
216-3948
JAG Construction
Jody Guokas
216-0941
QED Solutions
Dan Edwards
273-8256
dan@qedsolutions.us
Rare Earth Builders
Mark Bondurant
http://www.rareearthbuilders.com/
ECO- Support Professionals
Home Energy Partners (HEP) provides high performance building consultation and services to homebuyers, contractors, organizations, real estate agents and lenders. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and building science techniques to asses and repair health, comfort and energy concerns within new and existing buildings. HEP is an Energy Star Partner and administers the Greater Asheville Area HealthyBuilt Homes Certification.http://www.homeenergypartners.com/
Samsel Architects, 20-year history, a key design principle of Samsel Architects has been the thoughtful integration of the natural and built environment. We incorporate these qualities into all our projects with high efficiency building envelopes, solar energy considerations, water conservation techniques and resource-efficient, healthy materials. We provide architectural services for residences, commercial, institutions, renovations and historic preservation projects. Each of our designs draws on the special character of our region as well as the individual features of the project site.http://www.samselarchitects.com/
Sundance Power Systems, Southeast’s premier renewable energy company, serving residential and commercial clients since 1995. Our technical expertise includes design and installation of solar hot water and radiant floor heating systems, as well as solar, wind, and micro-hydroelectric power systems. We also serve our customers by providing information on tax credits for renewable energy systems, and help establish grid-tie partnerships with NC Green Power. With the energy of the sun, wind and water, we empower people to participate in the solution to our energy challenges. http://www.sundancepower.com/
Alice Dodson alicedodson@charter.net
Ken Gaylord Architect/Black Hawk http://www.kengaylord.com/
ArchiterraChristopher larson@toast.net
Daryl Rantis, Architect http://www.rantisarchitects.com/
More GREEN FEATURED
www.earthpaint.net/index.htm
http://www.equinoxenvironmental.com/
http://www.innovahomes.net/
GENERAL RELOCATION & TAX INFO
North Carolina Sales Tax
http://www.dornc.com/taxes/sales/
LOAN QUALIFICATION: Pre-Approval or Pre-Qualification Letter. Do you know the difference….? It can be deceiving because you might think that you are fully approved when you are not. . . Pre-Qualification = A simple assessment by the lender. This does NOT commit the lender at all to the applicant, being only an opinion of the lender....Pre-Approval = A more in-depth assessment of a borrower’s buying capacity based on income. Unlike a pre-qualification, a pre-approval letter also checks the applicant’s credit and is a surer verification of a borrower’s income. It takes longer to process and will require more comprehensive documentation, but gives a clearer and more definitive guarantee of the loan amount a borrower is entitled to.
One Asheville lender offers online assessment forms.
Lynn Davis: http://www.ashevillesavingsbank.com/mortgage-closing-guarantee.html
Please let us know if you would like referrals to lenders who specialize in energy efficient loans.
WHAT BUYERS MUST KNOW ABOUT
Working with Real Estate Professionals in the State of North Carolina
"IT’S THE LAW!" Printer Friendly Version: Click HERE North Carolina’s state-mandated consumer protection law. Here is a brief description of North Carolina’s Law of Agency—about agency relationships and services, and representation in a real estate transaction. The Law of Agency says: On “first substantial contact” clients/potential clients need to know who is representing who. (Example: At The Eco-Steward Real Estate Firm we are essentially Buyers’ Brokers, representing buyers/investors. 95% of our business involves buyers/investors, although we do accept amazing properties to represent for the sellers from time-to-time.)
The Law of Agency says: Clients/potential clients have rights under the Law. These rights need to be reviewed prior to that client/potential client offering significant details that could negatively impact negotiations in a transaction. Acknowledgement of Allegiance, Relationshipsand Representation Form.
Sample Copy of NC Offer to Purchase and Contract
Sample Copy of Questions and Answers on Home Inspections
NC HealthyBuilt® Homes Information
http://healthybuilthomes.org/
Real Estate and Conservation Land Trusts in Western North Carolina and South Carolina’s Foothills
http://www.sog.unc.edu/pubs/electronicversions/pg/pgfal00/article5.pdf
Utilities and Contact Details
WaterAsheville Buncombe Water AuthorityP.O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC, 28802City Building: 828 251 1122
Black Mountain: 828 669 8732Woodfin: 828 253 5551Weaverville: 828 645 7116Biltmore Forest: 828 27 0824
ElectricityProgress EnergyPO Box 2041Raleigh,NC 276021 800 452 2777http://www.progress-energy.com/
French Broad Electric1 800 222 6190 or 828 649 2051
TelephoneBell South, P.O.Box 33009, Charlotte, NC 28243Bell South 828 780 2355Verizon 1 800 483 4300
Natural GasPublic Service of NCP.O. Box 620Asheville.NC 28243828 253 1821 or 877 776 2427
Cable TVCharter 828 274 7500 or 828 669 2609
SATELLITE TVDirect TV 800 693 3657
WasteGDS 828 253 3929WM 828 253 5364Wyatt 828 665 0991
RecyclingAsheville/828 259 5547 or Buncombe 250 5460
PropaneBlossman Gas 828 667 0437Freeman Gas 828 696 9920Suburban Propane 828 252 4733
Black Mountain
Water and Trash pick up - residents put out trash Sunday nights for Monday am pick up
Town Hall Water Dept. 828 669 8250112 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain NC 28711
PowerProgress Energy 800 452 2777
GasPSNC Energy 877 776 2427
PhoneBellSouth 888 757 6500 in NC800 767 2355 outside NC
Cable TVCharter Communications800 955 7766
Any questions? Let us know how we can be of assistance!
Curious about sustainable Green real estate possibilities ? Simply pedal on over to Convivial Blogger Greenolina's "Green Wheels" BLOG......................... .............
ECO-FRIENDLY BUYERS’ CONNECTIONS & RELOCATING in the Asheville, NC Area .The Eco-Steward Firm, ALL Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants! Copyright © 2008-2009 All Rights Reserved
Labels: asheville green real estate
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
GO HERE FOR THE LATEST GREEN NEWS
Saturday, November 03, 2007
For more TIMELY VIEWS and NEWS please go to:
http://activerain/blogs/janeAnne
